Sequels are the bastard children of movies. Even on the rare occasion the second movie equals or surpasses the first in a series, there is always that one (or more) ‘last’ cash grabs to suck every cent out of an already desiccated corpse. It usually isn’t pretty, and often the willing suspension of disbelief has been pushed beyond the point of credulity. This effect is even more glaring with Psychotronic films, were the sequels appear to be more reactions to box office rather a plan of any kind.

That is why when I find a quality sequel I tend to treasure that movie. How to Make a Monster is the best kind of sequel. Original and self-sustaining, it can be removed and enjoyed apart from the series it continues.

Following the success of I Was a Teenage Werewolf and I Was a Teenage Frankenstein, AIP avoided the easy paths and gives us something, in context of the series, is unexpected. True, the plot could have been lifted from an old George Zucco or Bela Lugosi film, and there are the puzzling ‘bad decisions to move the plot’ which too many movies, Psychotronic or mainstream, rely on, but overall this is not just a good 50s horror movie, it is a good movie period.

This isn’t the shallow end of the pool, it is surprisingly deep. The dialogue comments on the studio system, media influence on kids, the power plays between all those involved in movie making and the cold heart driving personnel decisions in the movie business. The actors, especially the lead Robert H Harris, actually can project nuanced and subtle emotions. Yes, all these facets could have been developed more but then it wouldn’t be the joy it is. AIP knew what the kids wanted: instead of even more depth, we get a song from Attack of the the Eye Creatures’ John Ashley.

So how do you make a monster? There are so many in this movie, made in so many different ways. There doesn’t need to be a Wolfman or Frankenstein, the real scary monsters are in the mirror.

I want to start off by saying, The Amazing Colossal Man was released on VHS in 1996. It has never been released on DVD. This, a half-bit tossed together sequel is on DVD and all over the net. Get the picture? Something is not right here. Get the picture? ACM is a minor sci-fi classic, this is up with The Creature Walks Among Us for worst sequel of 50’s sci-fi. Get the picture? And the end rips off a rip off of the original. Get the picture?

I actually don’t watch this episode a lot, even though I like it. I just don’t want to overdo Mr. B Natural, one of those shorts that is so excellent it could be considered an episode all to itself.

Jack Kosslyn sighting. Our second Sally Fraser movie of the night. She is not a leading lady. Completely overshadowed in It Conquered the World, was given nothing to do in Earth vs. the Spider and just blah in this movie.

That is a rally bad facial prosthetic on Glenn Manning. Maybe I’m use to better tech, but it seems so ill fitted and poorly made.

What political satire. Passing the buck, who knew?

There just isn’t the kind of impact scenes like ACM. The fact Manning can no longer communicate anything is also a big issue with this movie. Sally as the sister just can put any weight into emotions for two people, let alone herself.

The SOL cut the flashbacks to ACM, which under line how much weaker this Manning and this movie is from the first one. The “I just don’t want to grow anymore” scene is played, and you see actual emotion and terror in Glenn. What a long flashback too, wow, this movie was really cheaply made. Using a better movie as padding, that’s a new one on me. The explosion, the wake up, the “I don’t want to grow” scene, the needle scene and the dam scene: the whole movie tucked inside this one.

This is really a dull movie. The action is all in the last 3rd of the film, and that’s just two sequences a pretty good distance apart. I guess there wasn’t much of a model budget.

There really isn’t a ‘signature scene’ in this movie to latch on. Nothing to really give you any reason to watch it.

The mom at the end is one of my least favorite MST3K characters. Nothing special about your kid, lady. Other people might lose kids too, and because of your stupid, stupid daughter. If you obey the rules, no one has to be killed by a giant!

The ‘color’ finale is kinda neat.

Watchability: 2 of 5. I think the Mads describe this as an “unnecessary” sequel, and boy were they right. It extends the story, but to what end? The Colossal Man is a supporting character in his own movie, this movie is about his sister trying to find and help him. Only worth watching if you are some kind of completest.

Missing the Riffs: 3 of 5. I would much rather have the SOL riffing away on this one, but it has enough wrong you can fill in the blanks. Not having Mr. B Natural was actually the worst part of this.